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Heat try to grab commanding 3-0 lead against Celtics

May 7, 2011 - 2:37 PM (Sports Network) - The Boston Celtics hope a shift away from Biscayne Bay to Beantown helps them get back into their Eastern Conference semifinals set with the star-studded Miami Heat.

The Heat took a 2-0 advantage in the series on Tuesday when LeBron James and Dwyane Wade combined for 63 points to carry Miami to a 102-91 victory in Game 2.

James scored 24 of his 35 points in the second half and was instrumental in a 14-0 fourth-quarter run that helped Miami hold serve in the physical series.

"LeBron was physically, mentally, and emotionally tough for us," Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said. "That set the tone for everybody and Dwyane, obviously, on both ends of the court."

Wade netted 28, while Chris Bosh totaled 17 points and 11 rebounds for Miami, which also took the series opener, 99-90.

"They're both playing very well," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said of James and Wade. "They've proven that they do this. They're going to get points, and I believed that going into the series. But they can't be so efficient getting 'em."

Rajon Rondo, despite dealing with a bad back, led the Celtics with 20 points, 12 assists and six rebounds, but Boston's stars failed to keep pace. Kevin Garnett scored 16 points, while Paul Pierce and Ray Allen were held to 13 and seven points, respectively.

In the end the Heat's "Big Three" outscored the Celtics' "Big Three" 80-36.

While Game 1's fourth quarter was marred by technical fouls and an ejection to Pierce, there were no antics in Tuesday's clash to overshadow Miami's dominance in the final six minutes.

"They were terrific and used every bit of their talent tonight to help us win," Spoelstra said his stars. "This series is only getting started right now. We ultimately did what we were supposed to do."

Both teams could be bolstered in Game 3. Boston center Shaquille O'Neal, who missed all but five minutes of the last 34 regular season games and the first round of the playoffs with Achilles and calf injuries, is close to a return. Meanwhile, Miami forward Udonis Haslem has been working out, and could be active or the first time since rupturing a foot ligament on Nov. 20.

Rivers has said he expects O'Neal to be available off the bench.

"There's no way we can get him at 100 percent. That ship has sailed," the coach said when asked about his big man. "That would be a miracle. But we can get him to a point where he can help us."

"We don't know what to expect," Wade, who won a championship with O'Neal in 2006 with Miami, added. "Shaq is a champion. He's a guy who has won four rings. He's had a lot of big playoff moments. Having him back is going to be a boost in energy to the crowd and to the team."

Also, Pierce, who strained his left Achilles' tendon early on in Game 2, and Rondo have had ample time to rest with the three days between Games 2 and 3.

"No one is 100 percent this time of year. It's part of the game, you just deal with [injuries]," said Allen, who also suffered a bruised chest when he took a James elbow to the chest. "You use the days off to get your body better."

The Celtics had dominated Miami in recent years, winning eight straight and 14 of 15 in the regular season before the Heat routed the Celtics in South Beach, 100-77, on April 10.

Boston and Miami have met just one other time in the postseason, last season's 4-1 Celtics win in the East quarterfinals.

Game 4 of the set will be Monday, also in Boston.